Introduction to XSL-FO

Abstract

A detailed technical introduction to XSL-FO, version 1.0 or 1.1 (your choice). It covers all of the major features of XSL-FO, including page layout, blocks, inline formatting, tables, lists, images, links and more. The emphasis of the hands-on exercises is on using XSLT to create XSL-FO.

Duration

2-3 days

Schedule

To schedule a class, please contact us at pwalmsley@datypic.com.

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of XSLT.

Topics covered

  1. Introduction
    • Purpose
    • Benefits and use cases
    • A Hello World example
    • Generating XSL-FO with XSLT
  2. XSL-FO basics
    • Page layout
    • Flow vs. static content
    • Blocks
    • Inlines
    • Property inheritance
  3. Formatting blocks
    • Borders
    • Backgrounds
    • Margins and padding
  4. Formatting inlines
    • Fonts
    • Text alignment and spacing
    • Indentation
    • Whitespace
  5. Lists
    • List structure
    • Formatting lists
  6. Tables
    • Table structure
    • Formatting tables
  7. Images
    • Incorporating images
    • Sizing and positioning
  8. Links
    • External links
    • Internal links
    • Markers
    • Page number links
  9. Page layout
    • Headers and footers
    • Portrait vs. landscape
    • Different odd and even pages
    • Forcing page breaks
    • Avoiding page breaks
    • Widows and orphans
  10. TOCs, bookmarks and indexes
    • Tables of contents
    • Leaders
    • Bookmark trees
    • Indices
    • Footnotes